Remember the Dr. Seuss book “Horton hears a who” Where an elephant goes a bit nutty after discovering the existence of an entire world living in a spec of dust?  This is how I imagine our microbiome to be, an entire universe of crazy looking Seussian characters co-habitating the spec of dust that is our gut, skin and mouths.  That’s right folks, despite our best 2020 inspired OCD hygiene efforts we are literally crawling with bugs, and it’s fabulous!  Like any civilization our microbiome plays host to thousands of organisms, from average joe’s to attention seeking heroes and villains unwittingly impacting everything from our immune system to our emotional health.  The influence of our micro-bacteria societies are so complex and far reaching that scientists are only scratching the surface of understanding the important role they play in our health.  After decades of focusing our attention on the eradication of bad bacteria we missed the incredibly crucial role good bacteria (which we were accidentally annihilating as well) play in our immune health.

YOu can now learn exactly who is living in your own spec of dust

I’m excited to have teamed up with Microbiome labs to offer an incredibly in-depth Biomfx stool test. These take home tests utilize some of the most advanced and accurate sequencing technologies to give us a complete picture not only of the bacterial characters you’ve got onboard, but of the specific metabolic functions affected by your very own colony.

And you thought you were in control (haha)

Aspects of your health actually critically influenced by your microbiome: 

• Allergies: Seasonal and food.

• All aspects of digestive health; crohns, IBS, candida, etc..

• Cardiovascular health: heart disease, high blood pressure ect..

• Diabetes: the mirobiome has a direct influence the metabolism of lipids and glucose.

• Depression: The gut-brain axis via the Vagus nerve shows a direct link with depression and gut dysbiosis.

• Autoimmune disease : Leaky gut plays a major role in all autoimmune diseases, so whether you’ve got Hashimotos, celiacs, lupus, rheumatiod arthritis, ect..

• Addiction: Gut bacteria influence neurologic pathways involved in addiction: see this Study.

• Obesity: Probiotic supplementation was shown to increase weight loss in this study.

• Cancer: While certain microbes are believed to be linked to cancer risk by modifying DNA, specific probiotics are being used to treat certain types of cancer.

• Arthritis: Due to inflammation caused by microbial dysbiosis.  

• Immune system: The key to our immune system lies in the gut health, diverse microbiomes have been linked to healthy immune systems in several studies.

• Neurodegenerative disease: Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s. Recent studies have shown a high percentage of Parkinson’s patients to have a history of H-pylori, crohns or IBS. The Vagus nerve which connects the digestive system to the brain is thought to carry alpha-synuclein pathology from the ENS directly to the brain where it causes neurodegenerative disease. Check out this study for more info.

It’s a well researched fact that the more abundant and diverse our microbiome, the healthier we are likely to be. The moment we’re born we pick up bacteria from our mother’s birth canal (“that’s disgusting mom!” -my daughter’s response to this fun fact) and continue to diversify our microbiome through breastfeeding as our mother’s milk produces the bacterial antidote to different pathogens that we acquire as infants (see? Your mom really does have super powers).  As we toddle barefoot in the backyard introducing every object we meet to the depths of our mouths, play with pets or eat dirt, we further equip our immune system with beneficial bacteria.  In fact, several studies show that children who grow up in homes with dogs are far less likely to develop respiratory or ear infections than those without. It turns out that man’s best friend is your gut’s best friend too.  In my Master’s program, the biology teacher informed us that children who grow up in homes with three or more pets tend to have healthier immune systems.  I took this advice to an extreme, as we’ve always had two dogs and a cat, plus an endless stream of chickens and foster kittens and puppies.  Our tendency as a culture however is to shelter our babies from germs, keeping them safe from the threat of sickness in the hyper-santized sanitariums of our homes.  This well intended, protective kind of parenting can often backfire however as studies show that children who grow in more sterile environments tend to develop greater environmental sensitivities or allergies.  

The more we sanitize and sterilize our homes the less happy our microbiomes can become, so while your neighbor’s squeaky clean kitchen may make you feel inadequate, just know that you’re likely outshining her in the gut bacteria department.  Our collective endeavor for cleanliness has gone a bit overboard with anti-bacterial everything and the overuse of antibiotics and other medications along with an overall indoor inclined culture.  Our very necessary efforts to thwart the spread of COVID through isolation, sanitization and mask wearing over the last year has likely taken a  bit of a toll on our gut bacteria, but desperate times call for desperate measures and there are several ways for us to keep our good bacteria on board. 

7 tips for supersizing your microbes:

1. Get a comprehensive look at your microbiome inhabitants with specific supplementation recommendations on how to bring them into balance with a biomfx test at the clinic.

2. Get a pet (or three), dogs are great because they get you outside and carry a wealth of mostly beneficial bacteria in their slobbery kisses.  Dogs and cats also pick up microbes on their feet and transfer them to your skin when you rub them.  

3. Choose hand washing over hand sanitizing whenever it’s an option and avoid the antibacterial soap.  Hand washing is always a great idea and won’t kill off those good bugs. 

4. Eat local and organic.  Local fruits and veggies from the farmers market are packed with pre-biotics from the soil. 

5. Get pinned:  Acupuncture has been shown in several studies to modify the microbiome by inhibiting bad bacteria while encouraging the growth of good bacteria, resulting in a more efficient metabolism and reduction in depression and anxiety via stimulation of the vagus nerve or gut-brain axis. 

6. Supplement:  choosing the right digestive enzymes and probiotics can be a hassle, I’m here to help.  When your digestion is on the fritz, chances are you’re unwittingly flushing your vitamins and herbs down the drain, the right digestive aids can remedy all your digestive woes and have you assimilating and reaping the benefits of your pricey supplements.

7. Ramp up your microbe friendly foods like sauerkraut, kombucha, Kim chi and anything pickled while also increasing pomegranates, dark cocoa, red wine, blueberries and green tea. 

Mountain dwellers are no strangers to arthritis, years of carving powder turns, climbing frozen waterfalls and shoveling out driveways can lead to the pesky and problematic accumulation of cold, dampness and wind in the joints which the Chinese refer to as Bi syndrome.  

Bi syndrome; It’s not just for the elderly anymore

Characterized by painful, stiff and swollen joints, Arthritis can be the result of prolonged cold exposure, scar tissue from old injuries, repetitive motion through work or play, underlying deficiencies, auto-immune issues or yes, the wear and tear of old age.  Whether you’ve been diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout or ankylosing spondylitis; your treatment plan will vary according to TCM (traditional Chinese Medicine.) 

Types of Bi Syndromes: 

• Wind Bi:  Characterized by pain that moves from joint to joint with an overall limitation of movement.  

• Damp Bi:  Pain and swelling in a fixed location, accompanied by a feeling of heaviness and numbness that is worse with cold/damp weather.  

• Cold Bi:  Aversion to cold, severe pain usually on one side of the body that limits movement.

• Heat Bi:  Severely painful joints that are hot to the touch, red and swollen. Usually occurs after chronic cases of any of the above types. 

• Phlegm Bi:  Is actually worse than it sounds (hard to believe with a name like that) this can be the result of any of the above Bi syndromes when left untreated.  Characterized by muscular  atrophy, swelling and deformity of the bones in the joints.  

Chinese Medicine to the rescue

While the steroids, opioids and NSAIDS you get from your doctor can take the edge off the pain, they do nothing to address the root cause of your arthritis woes.  At Durango Acupuncture Clinic, I use a combination of Acupuncture, cupping, Moxibustion heat therapy and Chinese herbs to not only reduce pain and discomfort but resolve the underlying factors that got your joints all up in a knot in the first place.  

5 Arthritis relieving Allstars:

1. Get Moxa-fied: When it comes to Bi syndrome, Moxibustion is key:  Moxa (a form of herbal heat therapy) has been used for thousands of years to treat arthritis.  Moxa helps to draw cold, dampness and phlegm from the bones, resulting in a significant reduction of pain and occurrence.  

2. Inject your pain away: Many of my patients have found lasting relief from Homeopathic injections like Traumeel and Zeel which help to reduce inflammation and pain while helping the cartilage to heal.  

3. De-inflame: I carry a number of anti-inflammatory and pain relieving Chinese herbal formulas, supplements and cbd’s. Magic ingredients to look out for when it comes to arthritis are: turmeric, frankincense, Boswellia, tang-kuei, aconite, cinnamon and myrrh as well and fish oil.

4. Salve it up: CBD salves and Chinese herbal compresses or linaments can provide lasting topical relief that is easy to control and use as needed. Many of you have already experienced the incredible pain relieving effects of the 2,500 mg cbd salve I carry in the office. Additionally, there are a number of Chinese herb patches that address different types of Bi syndromes; hot patches for cold types and cooling patches for hot types.

5. Collagen-ate: lubricate those joints by supplementing with a high quality, organic collagen or bone broth, you can find a simple recipe here or ask me for my favorite flavorless collagen powder suggestions.

Additionally, send those achy joints packing by reducing sugar, avoiding nightshade vegetables, losing weight and exercising regularly.

If this week of wintery weather has left your knees, knuckles, elbows, shoulders, low back or neck in the lurch, schedule yourself so we can get you back out on your skis, snowshoes or shovel before the powder melts away!

Feeling triggered?  Acupuncture can solve your Trigger Finger

If you’ve ever had your finger get stuck in a bent position and then snap straight you’ve experienced first hand, the annoying and painful condition known as Trigger finger.  

What is Trigger Finger?

When inflammation narrows the space within the sheath that surrounds the tendon of an affected finger it can result in the locking of that finger in a permanent or semi-permanently bent position.  Repetitive gripping actions through work or hobbies are often the culprit and this condition is seen more often in women or those with diabetes.

Symptoms

• Finger stiffness, especially first thing in the morning

• Popping or clicking with movement

• Tenderness or nodules in the palm at the base of the finger

• Finger catching or locking in bent position

• Finger locked in bent position and unable to straighten

Western Treatment

Your MD may recommend NSAIDs, splints, steroid injections or surgery.  All of which can further complicate the issue.   

Get Trigger Happy with Acupuncture

Acupuncture works surprisingly well for trigger finger, in fact, I’ve helped dozens of patients reduce or even resolve their issue completely.  By needling points around the affected area we are able to gently release the constriction or stagnation that’s blocking the smooth motion of the tendon.  Additionally, by injecting homeopathic Traumeel into the affected area, we can reduce inflammation and pain while promoting healing.  Moxibustion, a form of herbal heat therapy can be applied to the hand and finger as well to help increase blood flow and warm away arthritis. 

Five steps you can take right now to reduce your trigger finger:

1. Schedule an Acupuncture treatment

2. Start taking vitamin B6. B6 Pyridoxine has been shown in studies to significantly reduce trigger finger in many adults, especially those with swollen hands. Take the P-5-P version of B6 to avoid toxicity at 25-50 mgs daily.

3. Take magnesium: magnesium not only amplifies the effects of B6, but also encourages muscle relaxation and calms the nervous system.

4. Try some stretches; check out a few here.

5. Self massage the palm and any nodules along the finger joint.

In my Durango practice I’ve seen a wide range of carpal tunnel and tendonitis sufferers, from rock climbers to mountain bikers, surgeons, tennis players, florists, pregnant women, ASL translators to dental hygienists.  Basically anyone who uses their hands or arms in a highly focused and repetitive way is at risk for inflammation and arthritis of the tendons and ligaments, resulting in one or both of these issues.   Most of these patients find relief and even resolution with the help of Acupuncture, guasha and traumeel injections. 

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Numbness, tingling, weakness or muscle damage in the hand and fingers are the calling card of this incredibly common syndrome.  Whether you’re swollen from pregnancy or have been hitting the golf balls or climbing walls like it’s your job; your wrist may be paying the price of excessive pressure on the median nerve.  This is the nerve in the wrist that allows feeling and movement to parts of the hand. 

Epicondilitis, it’s not just for Tennis Players anymore

Epicondylitis, otherwise known as Tennis Elbow is an inflammation of the tendon or cord of fibrous tissue that attaches  muscle to bone. This pesky issue is often accompanied by tenosynovitis, which is an inflammation of the lining of the tendon sheath. Because tendons tend to have the blood flow of a paper cup, healing can be slow, often resulting in months or even years of down-time as they heal.  But don’t go hucking your golf club in a sand trap yet, because Acupuncture can help you get your swing back faster.

Why Acupuncture is the bomb at treating these issues

 A recent study at Massachusetts General Hospital found that Acupuncture not only reduces pain in CTS but also makes a quantifiable difference in how the brain processes nerve signals compromised by repetitive motion disorders.   This study found that Acupuncture not only reduced pain and numbness but (through functional magnetic resonance imaging taken before and after treatment) researchers were able to find improved nerve impulses in the wrist as well as brain remapping linked to long-term improvement in CTS symptoms.  Check out this study for details: https://academic.oup.com/brain/article/140/4/914/3058778

Acupuncture has a similar effect on Epicondylitis as it’s basically the Alex Honald of tendonitis treatments, which is to say that when it comes to increasing blood flow and reducing inflammation, Acupuncture excels and looks damn sexy while doing it. wink

Traumeel injections and Guasha to the rescue

Beyond Acupuncture, I’ve had a lot of success with treating both of these issues with Traumeel injections.  Traumeel is a homeopathic (all natural) alternative to steroid injections, renowned for its  incredibly anti-inflammatory and pain relieving effects. Check out this post on the 14 reasons why I Love trammel.

Guasha; the gentle scraping of the myofascial train of the forearm with the smooth edge of a flat stone or soup spoon is another ancient Chinese technique that can yield profound results when it comes to relieving nerve pressure and inflammation.  This is a go-to for me in the office and can be used as self-care at home as well.  I even know a few climbers who take their guasha tool to the craig as well.  

What is Traumeel and why exactly are we injecting it?

Traumeel is a type of homeopathic solution comprised of plant botanicals and minerals used for decades to combat pain and inflammation. At Durango Acupuncture Clinic, I am able to deliver this special form of medicine directly into the affected muscle, joint, acu or trigger point. It works by reducing inflammation and pain and actually helps to accelerate healing as an alternative to steroid injections. For those with arthritis, nerve pain or spasms, Traumeel can be combined with other homeopathics including Zeel, Spascupreel and neuralgo-rheum. For intense pain, I combine Traumeel with lidocaine as well.

It’s easy to love Traumeel and I’ll tell you why:

1. Homeopathics are all natural, non-addictive and have zero side effects.

2. Traumeel has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects and accelerates healing.

3. Injections are relatively painless and very affordable.

4. These can be used alone or added onto any Acupuncture treatment.

5. Traumeel can treat lateral epicondylitis.

6. Benefit minor pain caused by arthritis.

7. Can reduce muscle spasms.

8. Heal torn muscles and ligaments

9. Benefit sprains.

10. Help with Pelvic pain.

11. Aid in the healing of hip pain.

12. Treat sports injuries.

13. Traumeel is excellent in aiding post surgical recovery.

14. Can accelerate the healing of bone fractures.

Injections, painless? You’re kidding, right?

It’s no wonder so many of us share a deep seated fear of needles, have you ever accompanied a child to a vaccination appointment?  I nearly fell out of my chair when I watched the nurse violently jab my daughter with a giant needle for the first time. I get it that kids are fidgety little creatures and that attempting to inject them with a full dose of anything is akin to giving your cat a bath on the impossible scale, but geez!  

Despite experiences, injections don’t have to hurt.

There is no jabbing at Durango Acupuncture Clinic, I use the tiniest needles I can get my hands on so that I can deliver an injection that is as smooth, slow and gentle as possible.  In fact, the most common comment I get after delivering a Traumeel injection is “was that it?” I’ve treated enough nurses to learn that they lovingly nickname the room where they give steroid injections, “the pain room”, i’m happy to say that there are absolutely no such rooms at this Clinic.  

How Therapeutic Injections can get you there faster

Injections skip the cumbersome and slow digestive process and deliver supplements more directly to the bloodstream where its benefits can have an intensified and more immediate effect.  Intramuscular injections are absorbed as much as 90% better than vitamins and minerals taken orally. Which is why I’m excited to offer an array of therapeutic injections in my practice.

A little something for everyone:

• Acute Pain: Homeopathic Traumeel, which is excellent for more acute muscle sprains and strains as well as sports injuries and as an alternative to cortisol injections.

• Chronic Pain: Homeopathic Zeel, spascupreel and neuralgo-rheum are perfect for arthritis, muscle spasms or nerve pain.

• Immune System: Homeopathic Engystol combined with b-vitamins are your natural answer to the flu shot.

• Fatigue: B12 as Methylcobalamin is the most easily assimilated form of B12 and is more effective when delivered intramuscularly than sublingually.

• Weight Loss: Lipostat, A unique blend of vitamins designed to help your liver break down and digest fats to enhance your diet and exercise efforts.